Edwards And Taylor Honoured By MCC At Lord's

Current England captain Charlotte Edwards and former international Claire Taylor have been awarded Honorary Life Memberships of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

The pair, who have been instrumental in England's sustained run of success which saw them clinch two world titles in 2009, join a select group of cricketers to have been given Honorary Life Memberships during their playing careers.

Although Taylor retired from international cricket in 2011, she still represents MCC.

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravids are among the players who have been given Honorary Life Membership during their careers.

MCC President Philip Hodson presented Edwards and Taylor with MCC caps prior to the opening One-Day International between England and India at Lord's.

"In my time as President, few things have given me more pleasure than awarding Honorary Life Membership to two such outstanding cricketers who are a credit to the game," he said.

"Both have made the most of their exceptional talents for England, but they have also been fantastic ambassadors for MCC. Charlotte has educated hundreds of children in schools and at cricket camps about the Spirit of Cricket, thanks to MCC’s partnership with Chance to Shine, and Claire’s devotion to MCC Out-Matches means dozens of schoolgirls and university students have had the thrill of playing against and learning from one of the world’s best batswomen."

Taylor added: "It is a huge honour to be recognised in this way by MCC. It was a total surprise, but a fantastic one, and I am very proud to have been awarded Honorary Life Membership. I’ll look forward now to joining the early morning queues outside the Grace Gates before Test Matches."